Feast Of The Nativity And Theophany Celebrated At Ghevontiants Armenian Cathedral

On January 6, 2025, the Armenian Apostolic Church observed the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the first tabernacle feast in the church calendar. The Feast commemorates not only the Birth of the Messiah (the Appearance of God – Astvatsahaytnootyoon) but also His baptism in the River Jordan, the latter of which is observed by the ceremonial blessing of the water service during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

At St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, the celebrant was His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of Los Angeles. Archbishop Derderian was assisted at the Holy Altar by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan and the deacons of the Cathedral.

His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, and the Rev. Fr. Mikayel Kyureghyan participated in the Nativity service. The chants of the Divine Liturgy were performed by the Khachadourian Choir under the conductorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian. 

Among the dignitaries in attendance were His Excellency Karen Israyelyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Diocesan Council Chairman Mr. Vartan Nazerian and his spouse Bertha, Mr. Ara Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia and President of the World Armenian Congress, Dr. and Mrs. Aramais and Natella Paronyan, Grand Benefactor of St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, Diocesan benefactors, godfathers, and honorary godfathers were also in attendance. 

The Diocesan Primate and clergy performed the traditional Blessing of the Water Service, with St. Leon Cathedral Godfather Mr. Hartyoon Hilalian serving as the Godfather of the Cross. 

Below is a video of the Primate's homily in its entirety.

At the conclusion of the service, the Primate led the faithful in a processional to the Hampar Family Room where the faithful received the opportunity to extend their heartfelt Christmas wishes to the Primate.